Now, if you play Monopoly according to this rule, it’s a much better game. For the following reasons.

Sending un-purchased properties to auction has a number of benefits.

Firstly, it speeds up the game, as it enables the quicker collection of a matched set of streets (and remember that it’s only when players have collected sets, and can start building houses, that the game moves into its final phase).

Secondly, it makes the game much more interesting by massively increasing the interaction between players. Bluff appropriately and you could end up buying a property you really want for way below the market price - or trick another player into buying a property you don’t want for way more than the market price.

Thirdly, it makes the game much more skilful, since it is now less dependent on luck, and more dependent on your ability to trick, bluff and manage the other players.

Read the full blog post at Critical Miss for a detailed explanation of why this rule is so rarely followed. And spread the word. Next time someone complains that Monopoly is boring, explain to them: You’ve probably been doing it wrong.

Who knows, maybe the next time you play Monopoly with your family, it might not end up like this. For once.